7 
Dr. Carl Bolle writes that he observed a flock at Canaria, in the Canaries, in May, but adds 
that they do not breed there; Mr. Godman does not record it from Madeira or the Azores; but 
I possess a specimen caught off Madeira during a storm on board the Hamburg vessel ‘Augustine, 
and sent to me by Dr. Otto Finsch. 
To the eastward the common Swallow is found as far as Japan; but as one moves eastward 
it will be observable that there is a gradual tendency in specimens to diverge from the typical 
European form towards Hirwndo horreorwm, the species which inhabits the Nearctic region; and 
in Eastern Siberia, near Lake Baikal, specimens of this latter form are found in no way differing 
from typical American examples. The present species is stated by De Filippi to be less common 
than in Europe. Mr. Blanford says that it is common throughout Persia in the summer, and 
breeds at heights from about 4000 feet to about 8000. At Kalagan and Jalk the birds appeared 
to be arriving in March; and on dissection it was evident that they were commencing to breed. 
Dr. Henderson met with it in Yarkand. He writes that it ‘‘ was found in great abundance in 
Cashmir in June, where it was breeding; and in the plains of Yarkand it was common all the 
way from Sanju to the city. At Oo Tograk, in August, they were collecting in flocks and 
perching in vast numbers on the mulberry-trees, probably preparatory to migrating, because on 
the return of the expedition to the same locality in September not one was to be seen. The 
Yarkandis, who call the bird ‘ Kaldergoch,’ said that it disappeared entirely in the cold season.” 
According to Jerdon (B. of India, i. p. 158), it is found throughout the entire Indian continent 
and Ceylon during the winter season; but he does not know that it breeds there. It extends, he 
adds, “through Assam, Burmah, and Malayana to the islands, and also to China and the Philip- 
pines; in Upper Burmah it comes in early in July.” 
I have examined specimens from Java, Malacca, the Philippines, and the Andamans; and 
judging from Mr. Gould’s description of Hirundo fretensis, from the north shore of Australia, I 
‘gather that the bird obtained was true H. rustica. ‘The present species, in a slightly modified 
form, also occurs in China and Japan; but the bird found in Eastern Siberia is, so far as I can 
ascertain, true Hirundo horreorum. 
Throughout Europe generally the Swallow is merely a migrant, arriving as one of the first 
harbingers of summer, and leaving us before the cold weather sets in. It is now unnecessary to 
refute the old fable so current amongst our forefathers, that the Swallows hibernate during the 
winter season, as it has long been satisfactorily proved that such is not the case; but even in the 
present century it was found necessary to write long essays to prove that they migrate to more 
genial climes instead of passing the winter in a state of torpidity in the mud, or in old caves and 
hollow trees. Mr. Benzon informs me that in old prescriptions cone sometimes finds reference 
made to aqua hirundinum, a sort of essence of water and Swallows, which in olden times appears 
to have been considered a sovereign remedy for many of the ills that man is heir to. 
Being entirely insectivorous, the Swallow is one of our most harmless and useful birds; and 
in most parts of Europe it is protected by the peasantry, who object to it being molested; and it 
would be well if this were everywhere the case. Swift on the wing and exceedingly agile and 
graceful, it glides with the greatest ease through the air, the tail being usually carried but little 
expanded and only spread out to its full extent when a sudden turn is made, generally to catch 
a passing insect. During clear fine weather it is usually seen flying at a great altitude; but in 
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